http://outofcharacterbook.com/index.htmlOOC PostsenDavid DeStenoCopyright 2011 David DeSteno2011-12-23T13:33:34-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:13:32 -0500David DeStenoBook News2011-12-23T13:33:34-05:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/4823acf20965449d38ee0af3110da83b-93.html#unique-entry-id-93http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/4823acf20965449d38ee0af3110da83b-93.html#unique-entry-id-93
Thanks to Maria Popova at Brain Pickings for naming Out of Character as one of the best psychology/philosophy books of 2011!]]>David DeStenodecision making2011-11-28T20:41:59-05:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/ad842c9ffb9f8d693b87c2e060d31a43-92.html#unique-entry-id-92http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/ad842c9ffb9f8d693b87c2e060d31a43-92.html#unique-entry-id-92
Greg Walton and Carol Dweck had a great piece in the NYT arguing against the Baumeister notion that willpower comes down to glucose levels in the bloodstream.]]>David DeStenoCurrent Events2011-10-20T18:10:57-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/e09e1f5db458922afb8853b4c94312f1-91.html#unique-entry-id-91http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/e09e1f5db458922afb8853b4c94312f1-91.html#unique-entry-id-91


The rain has finally relented here in Camden, ME, and PopTech is as insightful an experience as ever. In fact, the participants in Dave's seminar on the Science of Character gained some new insight into their own minds -- namely how relative their morals can be. Data after the jump.]]>David DeStenoAdministrative2011-10-16T23:43:05-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/dcf34d109c6329ac61ce5b618e08eeef-90.html#unique-entry-id-90http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/dcf34d109c6329ac61ce5b618e08eeef-90.html#unique-entry-id-90
Dave's at PopTech this week, and Carlo has been writing for Scientific American Mind, so there probably won't be any posts for the next few days. But check back next week for updates about the highlights from Camden, ME and our take on whatever the news brings next.]]>David DeStenoJudging Character2011-10-12T16:16:28-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/0750f73225de098e1d85efee2d87363d-89.html#unique-entry-id-89http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/0750f73225de098e1d85efee2d87363d-89.html#unique-entry-id-89
Recent reports of a mountain lion or cougar stalking the campus of the University of Iowa prompted campus jokesters to tweet their surprise that Michelle Bachman was in town. A cougar, colloquially, is an attractive older woman who seeks out trysts with younger men, and to some, it seems that Bachmann fits the bill. This emphasis on appearance is nothing new for high-profile women, and feminist scholars are quick to point out its potential detrimental effects on perceptions of female competence.]]>David DeStenoEmotion2011-10-06T09:59:34-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/bdc06bdcab9e39262722e5ae5007873c-88.html#unique-entry-id-88http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/bdc06bdcab9e39262722e5ae5007873c-88.html#unique-entry-id-88
If you only saw the close-up on the left, what do you think Serena Williams was feeling? Anger? Pain? Probably not pride, but that's what it was, as a quick glance to the zoomed-out image on the right reveals. This fact is a bit troubling for a long-held view that the face has approximately six unambiguous emotional expressions.]]>David DeStenoCurrent Events2011-10-02T07:46:46-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/53a1198f82e113222ac810f7bac89ec2-86.html#unique-entry-id-86http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/53a1198f82e113222ac810f7bac89ec2-86.html#unique-entry-id-86
Martin Lindstrom's Op-Ed in the Saturday New York Times on how brain science confirms that people love their iPhones is causing quite a stir in the scientific community for two reasons. First, his analysis makes no sense based on any understanding of how the brain works. Second, and probably more troubling, is that the NYT was willing to print an op-ed that references data from experiments that haven't been peer-reviewed and are not publicly verifiable. ]]>David DeStenoAggression2011-09-20T22:18:02-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/9f8c7853d237c1353227fdf5f5e93b5f-85.html#unique-entry-id-85http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/9f8c7853d237c1353227fdf5f5e93b5f-85.html#unique-entry-id-85
There are few images as sweet as a mother breast-feeding a baby. But new research shows that the reduced arousal from those touching moments may disinhibit a mother's aggression toward others. In short, nursing just might bring out the "mama bear" in any woman -- and rightly so.]]>David DeStenoMoralityJudging Character2011-09-18T09:30:00-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a3723c495879a676ae527b85c32b4ab5-84.html#unique-entry-id-84http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a3723c495879a676ae527b85c32b4ab5-84.html#unique-entry-id-84

Dave has an article in the Boston Globe today on how and why moral relativism is deeply embedded in the mind. Unfortunately, you have to register to gain access, but the Globe is still free online (at least for now).]]>David DeStenoEconomics2011-09-07T23:29:44-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/65e1101bd44fa69467c31adc1f2e0fc2-83.html#unique-entry-id-83http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/65e1101bd44fa69467c31adc1f2e0fc2-83.html#unique-entry-id-83
As we often note, much of life comes down to weighing short- vs. long-term tradeoffs. It can be difficult to resist what feels good in the here and now, but new research shows that just how difficult it is may depend on if you're feeling deprived.]]>David DeStenorelationships2011-09-02T12:34:31-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/aceca9eaeee7e296d06171b8ab95a713-82.html#unique-entry-id-82http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/aceca9eaeee7e296d06171b8ab95a713-82.html#unique-entry-id-82
The adaptive benefits of social connection are many and profound. Not only does being around close others offer protection from environmental threats but it also allows individuals to capitalize on the varied sets of skills and resources that belonging to a collective can provide. Because of these benefits, some psychologists have posited that a “need to belong” is as fundamental a human motive as hunger and sex-drive. But is there a down side?]]>David DeStenodecision making2011-08-30T19:36:17-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/f1f1e30f478ee2c56509d48de9590946-80.html#unique-entry-id-80http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/f1f1e30f478ee2c56509d48de9590946-80.html#unique-entry-id-80
Would you rather be killed by a bolt of lightning or by a downed power line (let’s assume that the amount of pain you feel would be identical)? Jeffrey Rudski and his colleagues think you’d go with the lightning. ]]>David DeStenoMorality2011-08-22T15:16:55-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/ee4debe43e9b0640d4c7f72a99f0aefd-79.html#unique-entry-id-79http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/ee4debe43e9b0640d4c7f72a99f0aefd-79.html#unique-entry-id-79
Josh Greene has been at the leading edge of illuminating how the moral mind works. Together with his colleagues, he's demonstrated that many of the mind's moral judgments are driven by an ancient, intuitive calculus often based on the simple rule: do no harm. Although automatic rules such as these often work well, they can sometimes lead to questionable decisions. In those cases, Josh and others suggest, we might "put the brakes" on our intuitive assumptions and consciously direct our judgments using principles like utilitarianism. That may sound reasonable at first, but new research by Daniel Bartels and David Pizarro shows that this is exactly the strategy used by psychopaths. ]]>David DeStenoEconomicsrelationships2011-08-16T14:10:24-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/180d2988753e39f0918d31c0936484e9-78.html#unique-entry-id-78http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/180d2988753e39f0918d31c0936484e9-78.html#unique-entry-id-78
Mimicry -- the tendency to automatically copy the gestures of an interaction partner -- has often been referred to as a "social glue." Most research has found that when others subtly mimic us, we like it. But new work by Jia Liu and colleagues is suggesting that mimicry might not always be a plus, especially when money is involved.]]>David DeStenoCurrent EventsMoralityJudging Character2011-08-12T12:43:53-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/86a9caa0d4a56eb52c34eb366821f016-77.html#unique-entry-id-77http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/86a9caa0d4a56eb52c34eb366821f016-77.html#unique-entry-id-77
We have a piece in the The Times' Eureka Daily Science Blog today on why Prime Minster Cameron's assertions that the rioting reflects "criminality, pure and simple" stemming from "poor parenting" might just be a bit too simplistic. Unfortunately, we can't post it here, as it's behind the Times' pay wall. But for those of you who have access, check it out here. It makes a nice companion piece to the Times' lead story today on Natasha Reid -- a student who inexplicably, even to herself, joined the looting only to regret it later and turn herself in. ]]>David DeStenoEconomics2011-08-10T10:25:05-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/47a00a9ca1f1ef2544a0aa1ec50b6a1c-76.html#unique-entry-id-76http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/47a00a9ca1f1ef2544a0aa1ec50b6a1c-76.html#unique-entry-id-76
As we often note, life is full of long- vs. short-term tradeoffs. Should you work hard and invest your money or go spend it on a new Ipod right now? New work by Vladis Griskevicius and colleagues suggests that how we solve this decision might just be influenced by who is around us. Or, more specifically, the number of women to men -- the available mate ratio for men.]]>David DeStenoBook News2011-08-04T21:26:51-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/be26c2bd40634c288f93a5d9545b7765-75.html#unique-entry-id-75http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/be26c2bd40634c288f93a5d9545b7765-75.html#unique-entry-id-75
The Portuguese translation of Out of Character launches today in Brazil. Maybe the upcoming Russian version should use the same graphic? You know -- nesting dolls. . . .]]>David DeStenoJudging Character2011-08-02T22:17:16-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/2554d89357f9174aaba7d42c969a103b-74.html#unique-entry-id-74http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/2554d89357f9174aaba7d42c969a103b-74.html#unique-entry-id-74
Nonconscious mimicry -- the human tendency to mirror the actions of another without awareness -- often leads to social benefits. It increases rapport, facilitates interactions, and, as our work has shown, can even lead to greater compassion and altruism. But the notion that mimicry is always a positive doesn't make sense. If it increases the "link" between two people, what happens if one of them is a boor?]]>David DeStenoPrejudice2011-07-28T08:18:15-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/bd8ee04f59412500bd37c197dd766528-73.html#unique-entry-id-73http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/bd8ee04f59412500bd37c197dd766528-73.html#unique-entry-id-73
The past 25 years of research into the scientific unconscious has documented just how susceptible the mind is to prejudice. Simple exposures to stereotypical beliefs rapidly alter the mind's evaluative mechanisms such that it will automatically generate a negative evaluation of any member of a different social group in question. However, a new paper in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that simply altering our perspective -- mentally putting ourselves in another person’s shoes -- can significantly reduce our unconscious biases.]]>David DeStenoMoralityLeadership2011-07-27T09:56:46-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/7db3e118cd62600e26b110d06083caf1-72.html#unique-entry-id-72http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/7db3e118cd62600e26b110d06083caf1-72.html#unique-entry-id-72
Harvard Business School Dean Nitin Nohria had an interesting Q&A in the New York Times recently. He noted that one of the three major changes to the curriculum at HBS involved a greater focus on the development of leadership. ]]>David DeStenoMoralityEconomics2011-07-22T13:53:43-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/b2e3d2f6692d9fe6c6072b7ccc202776-71.html#unique-entry-id-71http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/b2e3d2f6692d9fe6c6072b7ccc202776-71.html#unique-entry-id-71
Past research has shown that we tend to have an aversion to inequality, especially when we are getting the short end of the stick. But it is also true that we often sacrifice our own self-interest to enhance the welfare of others. These seem to be contradictory effects. How can we on the one hand care about someone else’s well-being while on the other also want to be better off than they are?]]>David DeStenoHappiness2011-07-21T16:24:29-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/12022666edb45f10398dc655c3fb3efd-69.html#unique-entry-id-69http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/12022666edb45f10398dc655c3fb3efd-69.html#unique-entry-id-69
Our good friend Dan Gilbert moderated a fantastic conversation between Bob Frank (another good friend and collaborator) and Justin Wolfers at this years Aspen Ideas Festival a few weeks back. It's one of the best discussions on the current state of economic-based happiness research out there, and the dialogue between Bob and Justin offers not only new insights into what cutting edge data are suggesting about some of the seeming paradoxes in the literature (e.g., money doesn't appear to buy happiness) but also integrates some of the oppositional positions that economists have put forward. Definitely worth a view.]]>David DeStenoJudging Character2011-07-19T10:53:02-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/5333f4655a5f893943a8709a39e1b7e9-68.html#unique-entry-id-68http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/5333f4655a5f893943a8709a39e1b7e9-68.html#unique-entry-id-68
The minds of most Americans are ready and willing to engage in a phenomenon psychologists term spontaneous trait inference -- the readiness to bind a single personality descriptor or action to a target in memory. Put differently, if we see someone cheat once, that label is automatically bound to our memories of that person. When we imagine his face, it's as if the label "cheater" spontaneously appears across it. New research, however, is suggesting that this phenomenon might not be as universal as first thought.]]>David DeStenoStressStatus2011-07-15T09:52:42-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/d3915ec2d31cf150a93080d4e250352e-67.html#unique-entry-id-67http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/d3915ec2d31cf150a93080d4e250352e-67.html#unique-entry-id-67
Everyone knows that navigating the ladder of status is often difficult. Being at the bottom is undoubtedly stressful, but new research suggests that being at the top is no picnic either.]]>David DeStenoMorality2011-07-13T13:31:58-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/57cc37711858871f83532ccdfb6758e6-66.html#unique-entry-id-66http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/57cc37711858871f83532ccdfb6758e6-66.html#unique-entry-id-66
Does belonging to a morally-upstanding group increase the odd that a person will behave virtuously? You might think so, as the norm for the group would be one that favors moral actions. Yet, new research by Maryam Kouchaki suggests that belonging to such groups might, at times, have the opposite effect.]]>David DeStenoPoliticsMoralityJudging Character2011-07-11T08:57:11-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/7ec3c4931f72a3b158a9281780527068-65.html#unique-entry-id-65http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/7ec3c4931f72a3b158a9281780527068-65.html#unique-entry-id-65
This morning brings us news that the "grand bargain" in Washington appears to have collapsed. It's yet another example of the seeming disconnect between progressives and conservatives. Few psychologists have done more than my friend Jon Haidt to illuminate the psychological differences that characterize the liberal and conservative minds, respectively. But new research by Jennifer Cole Wright and Galen Baril suggests that while Jon may have the overall picture correct, one important detail may need revision: maybe we're all liberals at heart.]]>David DeStenoTrust2011-07-07T17:08:53-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a6748154384a27eb5613e3abce3bf436-64.html#unique-entry-id-64http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a6748154384a27eb5613e3abce3bf436-64.html#unique-entry-id-64
Trust is the foundation of stable and flourishing social relationships. As such, you might think that it is something that forms over time and is based on accurate cues of a person's reliability and character. Although it can work that way, new research is showing that it doesn't always.]]>David DeStenoPoliticsMoralityJudging Character2011-07-07T09:58:51-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/9b83b2272dc34f3eee27fac42b809983-63.html#unique-entry-id-63http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/9b83b2272dc34f3eee27fac42b809983-63.html#unique-entry-id-63
Our colleague David Pizarro at Cornell had a wonderful NYT Op-Ed awhile back explaining the science behind Carl Paladino's (former candidate for NY Governor) political mailing about the corruption in Albany that was scented to smell like garbage. David has done some of the most interesting work on disgust out there, and he (along with colleagues Yoel Inbar and Paul Bloom) has struck again -- this time showing how subtle feelings of disgust stemming from a foul smell can enhance bias against gay men.]]>David DeStenoJudging CharacterSocial CommentaryPolitics2011-07-05T10:52:10-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/aec294f157f747f444ebfff200df27f2-61.html#unique-entry-id-61http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/aec294f157f747f444ebfff200df27f2-61.html#unique-entry-id-61
When interests conflict, the mature compromise. In Washington, though, compromise remains a “dirty word” to many -- so much so, that as David Brooks points out today, the Republicans may be passing up the deal of a lifetime.]]>David DeStenoMoralityJudging Character2011-06-30T09:55:45-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/e71072fe76bf46299c6e7db7932fe935-60.html#unique-entry-id-60http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/e71072fe76bf46299c6e7db7932fe935-60.html#unique-entry-id-60
Anger is intimately linked with aggression. Much research has shown that people who chronically experience anger also tend to be more likely to lash out at others in hostile ways. No surprise there. But what about disgust? Recent work has suggested that the image of the school-yard pacifist with nose in the air looking down on the two kids pummeling each other while saying, "You disgust me" may have some scientific import, but in the opposite direction than most people think.]]>David DeStenoMorality2011-06-24T11:12:30-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/0be5c1b179279ce06e490b0204a2852a-59.html#unique-entry-id-59http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/0be5c1b179279ce06e490b0204a2852a-59.html#unique-entry-id-59
There is a fairly universal view that bribery is an immoral practice, yet as the World Bank notes, more than $1 trillion (or 3% of the world GDP) is paid annually in bribes. Fascinating new research by Nina Mazar and Pankaj Aggarwal at the Rotman Business School in Toronto suggests, however, that the contributions to this figure may differ immensely across cultures. Everyone hates it, but citizens of some cultures might just hate it a little less . . .]]>David DeStenorelationshipsromance2011-06-21T10:13:27-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/d00577f76f47ffe36653d1759ab11f63-58.html#unique-entry-id-58http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/d00577f76f47ffe36653d1759ab11f63-58.html#unique-entry-id-58
We spend a lot of time on this blog talking about how people judge the personal qualities of others. Nicholas Rule and colleagues have an intriguing new finding out today that examines a somewhat related question: What determines how accurate people are in assessing the sexual orientation of others? Turns out, for women at least, the timing of the judgment plays a big factor.]]>David DeStenoCurrent EventsJudging CharacterPolitics2011-06-19T16:52:23-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/9640bd1f0ce9cb4be8a730293f26d9fb-57.html#unique-entry-id-57http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/9640bd1f0ce9cb4be8a730293f26d9fb-57.html#unique-entry-id-57
Maureen Callahan covers politicians and the new science of character with an eye toward OOC in the NY Post Opinion pages. You can find the article here.]]>David DeStenoHappinessrelationships2011-06-17T10:12:27-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/5e9bae88c45174bff028d04c7e617883-56.html#unique-entry-id-56http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/5e9bae88c45174bff028d04c7e617883-56.html#unique-entry-id-56
Why is it that people often say they are "getting the cold shoulder" when they feel lonely from someone ignoring them? The answer may come from more than linguistics. ]]>David DeStenoJudging CharacterCurrent EventsPolitics2011-06-14T21:46:34-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/c09b55d6379acb0daba0176634b9390b-55.html#unique-entry-id-55http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/c09b55d6379acb0daba0176634b9390b-55.html#unique-entry-id-55
Love her or hate her – and those appear to be the only two options – there are few politicians who seem to evoke the same intensity of emotion as Sarah Palin. The question, though, is why?]]>David DeStenoJudging Character2011-06-13T11:09:23-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/b0162a8d1444b4c7a5657e7fd5e3b067-54.html#unique-entry-id-54http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/b0162a8d1444b4c7a5657e7fd5e3b067-54.html#unique-entry-id-54
Many have long thought that delaying adolescent sexual initiation (i.e. the “first time”, or ASI) will reduce risky adult sexual behavior. After all, the stereotype is that the kind of person who would engage in early sexual activity is the same type of person who will end up in seedy motels with their co-workers years later. But maybe not.
]]>David DeStenoMoralityCurrent EventsPolitics2011-06-06T22:41:55-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/944a96d3601d3b207beb495ab9d818e8-53.html#unique-entry-id-53http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/944a96d3601d3b207beb495ab9d818e8-53.html#unique-entry-id-53
Days of protestations and puns aside, it seems it was Mr. Weiner all along. What was he thinking? It's anybody's guess. But why he fell prey to twittering his anatomy is a classic example of the short- vs. long-term tradeoffs that occupy our minds.]]>David DeStenoHappinessEconomics2011-06-02T11:46:31-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/63cdb1d5d5aec09f71f5520e431b15e5-52.html#unique-entry-id-52http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/63cdb1d5d5aec09f71f5520e431b15e5-52.html#unique-entry-id-52
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods. Simply put: envy = bad. Fair enough, but then why is it so rampant?]]>David DeStenoJudging Character2011-05-31T10:26:20-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a2b218547dedc67dc462fa8fe90865ec-51.html#unique-entry-id-51http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a2b218547dedc67dc462fa8fe90865ec-51.html#unique-entry-id-51
If we told you that gossip can change how you perceive people, you probably wouldn't be surprised. But what if we told you it can change how you actually see them (or whether you even see them or not)?]]>David DeStenoAdministrative2011-05-26T23:13:30-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/48817f5d269376987f4f9231ed199c7d-49.html#unique-entry-id-49http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/48817f5d269376987f4f9231ed199c7d-49.html#unique-entry-id-49
We're at the APS convention in DC, so blogging will be a little slow for a few days. But we'll have some new findings to share based on research presented at the conference.]]>David DeStenoMorality2011-05-26T23:05:27-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a2b31708faf90f867071c44d04cc0057-48.html#unique-entry-id-48http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a2b31708faf90f867071c44d04cc0057-48.html#unique-entry-id-48
With the current news cycle being dominated by powerful males acting inappropriately (Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the acquittal of two police offers for the alleged rape of a woman in New York City it's tempting to conclude that there's something about being a man in power that lends itself to sexual misconduct. ]]>David DeStenoHappiness2011-05-20T09:22:08-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/e8a3b6207261309744a450ea7f6bcf42-47.html#unique-entry-id-47http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/e8a3b6207261309744a450ea7f6bcf42-47.html#unique-entry-id-47
Happiness -- that should be the goal, right? Well, maybe not, or at least not as the ultimate goal that we should be striving for all the time. New work by June Gruber, Iris Mauss, and Maya Tamir suggests that too much happiness, just like too much chocolate, may not be beneficial. As we like to say here -- it's all about balance.]]>David DeStenoMoralityCurrent Events2011-05-19T08:43:54-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/1750c6b8d18c580bb0c80667483177a5-46.html#unique-entry-id-46http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/1750c6b8d18c580bb0c80667483177a5-46.html#unique-entry-id-46
As Maureen Dowd cleverly notes in her NYT column, power can seem to distort the view of men when it comes to sex. So, while it seems that Messrs. Schwarzenegger and Strauss-Kahn appear to have a history of misbehavior with women, the question that arises, of course, is why? ]]>David DeStenoBook NewsJudging Character2011-05-17T21:28:50-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/d28c999a667f154d1a56cb826f736a1d-45.html#unique-entry-id-45http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/d28c999a667f154d1a56cb826f736a1d-45.html#unique-entry-id-45
You can find a recap and podcast of Dave discussing OOC on Talk of the Nation here.]]>David DeStenoBook News2011-05-16T20:49:45-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/c431d2a7339feafe948987ef34d7d5ca-42.html#unique-entry-id-42http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/c431d2a7339feafe948987ef34d7d5ca-42.html#unique-entry-id-42
Out of Character hit the Wall Street Journal Best Seller Spotlight Psychology List for the week of May 8 (our first week on sale)!]]>David DeStenoJudging CharacterCurrent Events2011-05-16T21:03:00-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/b92f8674daeff5d41a46ca027875aba1-41.html#unique-entry-id-41http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/b92f8674daeff5d41a46ca027875aba1-41.html#unique-entry-id-41
In laying the groundwork for an expected run for the presidency, Newt Gingrich is seeking to reinvent himself, or at least part of himself. Not his mind, as almost everyone agrees that he is one of the biggest thinkers in the crowded republican field. Not his drive and managerial ability, as he is well remembered as a shrewd tactician. Not even his conservative bona fides, as his association with the 1994 Contract With America is difficult to forget. It’s that other quality that is often touted as principal factor in deciding whom to elect: character.]]>David DeStenoBook News2011-05-15T21:19:00-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/191e3f37eb621fe4fca8171281496882-40.html#unique-entry-id-40http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/191e3f37eb621fe4fca8171281496882-40.html#unique-entry-id-40

Dave will be discussing OOC with Neal Conan on Talk of the Nation @ 3pm EDT and with Gayle King @ 9am EDT.]]>David DeStenoMoralityAltruismSocial Commentary2011-05-11T20:19:25-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/2ba23f1a7b007b1bda622e92106c5872-39.html#unique-entry-id-39http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/2ba23f1a7b007b1bda622e92106c5872-39.html#unique-entry-id-39
Although human suffering has always been with us, the past few months have provided several vivid examples in quick succession. From the tragic consequences of the Japanese earthquake, to the devastated neighborhoods from tornados in the American South, to the humanitarian crisis unfolding daily in Libya, the plight of thousands has been on almost daily display. ]]>David DeStenoCurrent EventsBook News2011-05-11T13:26:26-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/990b58affb4cea8f70dbf22cf5404450-38.html#unique-entry-id-38http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/990b58affb4cea8f70dbf22cf5404450-38.html#unique-entry-id-38
Maria Popova has a great article about OOC and our work in The Atlantic today (and some video clips of a talk by Dave, too). Tomorrow is the national radio tour, and then back to blogging on the science.]]>David DeStenoCurrent EventsBook News2011-05-10T10:51:59-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/45c65c87d30f34277610746f37f95214-37.html#unique-entry-id-37http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/45c65c87d30f34277610746f37f95214-37.html#unique-entry-id-37
Gareth Cook has an article on OOC today in Scientific American's Mind Matters. It's a Q&A that explores the central issues head on. Check it out here.]]>David DeStenoBook NewsCurrent Events2011-05-07T17:44:54-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/54c99709169ec54bc2ab213e9b137e48-35.html#unique-entry-id-35http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/54c99709169ec54bc2ab213e9b137e48-35.html#unique-entry-id-35
It's been a busy week. We'll be back to blogging next week, but in the meantime, you can check out our interview with Carolyn Johnson in Sunday's Ideas section of the Boston Globe.]]>David DeStenoBook NewsCurrent Events2011-05-05T12:30:53-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/272d3ded1e07a9d1b145855ac0c64181-34.html#unique-entry-id-34http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/272d3ded1e07a9d1b145855ac0c64181-34.html#unique-entry-id-34
We're on Radio Boston (Boston's NPR: WBUR 90.9) @ 3 today. Listen in to find out about, as they put it, "The Liar, Cheat, and Sinner in All of Us." Click here to catch the podcast.]]>David DeStenoBook News2011-05-03T00:10:36-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/636eef94ae9956fae13a9cee8a825e64-33.html#unique-entry-id-33http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/636eef94ae9956fae13a9cee8a825e64-33.html#unique-entry-id-33It's launch day! Look for an article on the book in today's USA Today and check out the events link on the right for upcoming press, radio, and book signings.]]>David DeStenoCurrent Events2011-05-01T18:08:49-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/313acb1a44220a0d08d01a61cb15cb87-31.html#unique-entry-id-31http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/313acb1a44220a0d08d01a61cb15cb87-31.html#unique-entry-id-31

Do you believe in Antarctica?  Probably. But what kind of a stupid question is that? Antarctica isn’t a matter of belief. Its existence is fact. You might even be willing to wager large sums of money that this massive piece of land isn’t merely a figment of collective imagination. But unless you are an intrepid explorer, chances are you’ve never laid eyes upon the thing. How are you so sure it’s real? Photographs, videos, and middle school geography teachers played a role most likely, but what are the means of verifying their legitimacy? Where does your confidence come from?]]>David DeStenoPrejudiceAnger2011-04-25T21:16:02-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/cb2d43edef22c9fd5bd5d35c231bffaa-30.html#unique-entry-id-30http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/cb2d43edef22c9fd5bd5d35c231bffaa-30.html#unique-entry-id-30

As CNN just noted, Mel Gibson has "opened up" in a recent interview about his less than chivalrous behavior. As most everyone knows, Mel has been caught a few times over the past years spewing racist and sexist epithets (and worse). Unfortunately, such behavior is evidenced by many people. But what makes the case of Mel interesting to us is the fact that he also has many, many people who know him well (e.g., Whoopi Goldberg, Jodie Foster) swear that he is not a racist or sexist. Can these views be squared?]]>David DeStenoMorality2011-04-20T10:08:00-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/2196b6d2a6211704564596a7af261aec-28.html#unique-entry-id-28http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/2196b6d2a6211704564596a7af261aec-28.html#unique-entry-id-28

Torture, unfortunately, has been a part of human behavior for as far back as we can peer. You need only look to the events in Libya or Abu Ghraib to see its continuing presence. Whether it's used to punish or to warn, its effects are terrible on those who are forced to endure it. And almost all of us would agree that torture is an immoral act. But to classify it as immoral, we first have to agree that an act is, in itself, painful enough to be considered torture. Here, can be surprising levels of disagreement. Is waterboarding torture? Is sleep deprivation torture? How about being forced to endure frigid temperatures?]]>David DeStenoMoralityCurrent Events2011-04-14T11:32:44-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/8f08d5326d01b7e42d472568f4d2a06d-25.html#unique-entry-id-25http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/8f08d5326d01b7e42d472568f4d2a06d-25.html#unique-entry-id-25

For all his great accomplishments, Barry Bonds is likely to be remembered most for being convicted of obstructing justice. It appears that Bonds, like many baseball heros, succumbed to the use of steroids to enhance performance. But unlike many, Bonds worked really hard to try to convince people he didn't. The question that interests us isn't only how did it come to this, but what does it mean going forward for aspiring athletes?]]>David DeStenoromanceMorality2011-04-12T11:36:48-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/bfa6d62fc896f764066da034a642af41-23.html#unique-entry-id-23http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/bfa6d62fc896f764066da034a642af41-23.html#unique-entry-id-23

It’s no surprise that partners who are less interested in alternatives to their current relationship partners turn out to be more satisfied with those relationships. If you don’t think the grass is greener, then you won’t be as interested in hopping the fence. What should come as a bigger surprise are the findings of a group of psychologists at the University of Kentucky and Florida State suggesting how one might react to a partner whose eyes are wandering: let them ogle.
]]>David DeStenoMoralityAltruismJudging CharacterCurrent Events2011-04-07T16:20:34-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a97d966229a92f15ec9587aaddfe8ce6-22.html#unique-entry-id-22http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a97d966229a92f15ec9587aaddfe8ce6-22.html#unique-entry-id-22

"We are left isolated" Katsunobu Sakurai, mayor of the Japanese city of Minamisoma, said with face drawn and voice strained, as he recorded a video pleading for assistance. His city, like many in Northern Japan, was devastated by the earthquake, leaving citizens with little food and medicine and, due to radiation warnings, little option but to remain indoors. It was a dire situation with little hope for the arrival of aid anytime soon. With nothing to loose, the mayor's plea was posted on YouTube, and has since become one of the fastest spreading and viewed clips (see NYT coverage here). People from all over suddenly began sending aid and Minamisoma, though still reeling from multiple tragedies, suddenly became the beneficiary of kindness. What happened?]]>David DeStenoHappiness2011-04-02T22:09:03-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/d9375c287aba970df8c5a10f8224b4df-21.html#unique-entry-id-21http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/d9375c287aba970df8c5a10f8224b4df-21.html#unique-entry-id-21

There has been some internet chatter recently about the determinants of happiness and well-being, reminding me of blogosphere responses to a paper in last month’s issue of Psychological Science. As a new parent, this study was of particular interest.
]]>David DeStenoMoralityCurrent EventsJudging Character2011-03-29T23:52:51-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/ee6ad3efda29ae067fce5f69fe5096cd-20.html#unique-entry-id-20http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/ee6ad3efda29ae067fce5f69fe5096cd-20.html#unique-entry-id-20

Joe Scarborough had an interesting piece in Politico yesterday where he suggested that many on the left were engaging in moral hypocrisy by supporting President Obama’s actions in Libya while they condemned President Bush’s in Iraq. Simply put, Scarborough asks, “ How can the left call for the ouster of Muammar Qadhafi for the sin of killing hundreds of Libyans when it opposed the war waged against Saddam Hussein? During Saddam’s two decades in Iraq, he killed more Muslims than anyone in history and used chemical weapons against his own people and neighboring states.” He’s got a point. Although people can attempt to argue nuances, it’s hard to escape the label of hypocrisy when a person condemns others for actions or beliefs she herself embraces in similar situations.]]>David DeStenoromance2011-03-24T10:52:32-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/3e9ac81b5ac8b1f2535cfe4b7bb1d368-19.html#unique-entry-id-19http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/3e9ac81b5ac8b1f2535cfe4b7bb1d368-19.html#unique-entry-id-19

“I love you.” That one little statement can mean so much. If you ask most people, they’ll likely tell you that it stands as a sign of true long-term devotion and that men are much more hesitant to say it. But, as new research by Joshua Ackerman, Vladis Griskevicius, and Norman Li shows, they’d be wrong.

]]>David DeStenoJudging Character2011-03-22T17:48:04-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/4c03057c3b6db8e0c9198f21ee931f23-18.html#unique-entry-id-18http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/4c03057c3b6db8e0c9198f21ee931f23-18.html#unique-entry-id-18

When I (Carlo) was six, my pet rabbit, Peter, went on a “vacation in Florida” and never came back. As years passed, I eventually intuited that he was likely not living out his golden years in the sand and sun, but instead probably met the business end of a Michelin tire or got himself mixed up in the wrong patch of greens. The horrid truth of Peter’s demise, however, was not revealed to me until many years later.  My beautiful furry friend had been slaughtered, butchered, sautéed and fed to me for Christmas dinner.]]>David DeStenoMorality2011-03-18T09:54:12-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/67b16c93ea0ad547a2a10e38cade4713-17.html#unique-entry-id-17http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/67b16c93ea0ad547a2a10e38cade4713-17.html#unique-entry-id-17

Self-flagellation, it seems, has always been with us. From ancient cults of Isis and Dionysus, to the roaming flagellants of the European Middle Ages, to current examples of self-crucifixion in the Philippines in the Easter season and zanjeer (ritual self-infliction of pain, often with a chain) in many Islamic nations on the Day of Ashura. Most of us recoil when we see these behaviors. “Yes, guilt is one thing,” we may think, “but why in the world would anyone hurt themselves for it?” What ever happened to saying you’re sorry?]]>David DeStenoJudging Character2011-03-16T12:45:09-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/88e73636c15be2df9a65f8516aeaa430-16.html#unique-entry-id-16http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/88e73636c15be2df9a65f8516aeaa430-16.html#unique-entry-id-16
Conformist, tag along, copycat. In cultures that value the expression of individuality, to be labeled as such is an insult. We look down on those too weak or insecure to voice their opinions at the risk of sticking out. When a friend all of a sudden begins to like the same music as you, or dress the same way, or begin to borrow your catch phrases and jokes, it feels like a cheap and artificial strategy to ingratiate themselves to you. But what if your preferences truly shape theirs? That is, what if saying something like “You know, that Justin Bieber does have some musical talent” causes your friends to dig The Bieb even when no one else is around?]]>David DeStenoCurrent Events2011-03-14T22:28:11-04:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/e494d48c15b7f3e20d150d7fd9ec23ac-15.html#unique-entry-id-15http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/e494d48c15b7f3e20d150d7fd9ec23ac-15.html#unique-entry-id-15

Indecisiveness. Fickleness. Flip-flopping. Whatever you choose to call it, the notion that one’s beliefs and opinions can change quickly, seemingly with the wind, is usually not seen as a mark of good character. Rational analysis. Reliability. These are the markers of what we should look for and admire. These are the traits that make someone a good leader. At least that’s how the story goes. We just think that the story may not be right. Sometimes, changing views have little consequence. Calling the waiter back to switch an order may only serve to annoy your dinner companions. Sometimes, though, changing views can have large consequences. For example, in the past few days following the tragedies in Japan, attitudes toward nuclear power have shifted dramatically.]]>David DeStenoJudging Character2011-03-11T13:42:08-05:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/f9c14ee3824576f8e9ef78e5eabeb509-13.html#unique-entry-id-13http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/f9c14ee3824576f8e9ef78e5eabeb509-13.html#unique-entry-id-13

In 1989 Enrico Ponzo slipped on a ski mask and attempted to murder Mafia boss Francis Salemme, aka Cadillac Frank, outside an International House of Pancakes in Saugus, Massachusetts. The Cadillac had assumed power in the late 80’s after the arrest of former boss Jerry Angiulo, but his lack of “polish” as a #1 inspired brazen attacks from those who sought the crown. With promises of endless stacks of pancakes and twenty four hour omlettes as bait, Enrico took his shot, and missed. With a contract out on his head, he eventually disappeared, only to resurface last month in the unlikeliest of places: Marsing, Idaho (you can find the full NYT coverage here)]]>David DeStenoMorality2011-03-10T22:53:13-05:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/9f1e0542cca9281d64979b141afa619c-11.html#unique-entry-id-11http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/9f1e0542cca9281d64979b141afa619c-11.html#unique-entry-id-11

Is compassion a moral force? The answer, according to many spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama, is a resounding yes. The experience of compassion, they assert, has a radiating effect, extending kindness and forgiveness toward others, even those who have intentionally transgressed. If this is true, it suggests that compassion has the potential to stand as a counterweight to desires for punishment and revenge – a force capable of inhibiting actions that typically result in escalations of violence. ]]>David DeStenoCurrent EventsMorality2011-03-08T22:12:08-05:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/23d6b546553d5f10fd5deacdf132b79b-9.html#unique-entry-id-9http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/23d6b546553d5f10fd5deacdf132b79b-9.html#unique-entry-id-9

David Brooks has a great article (The New Humanism) on the Op-Ed pages of the New York Times today where he argues that many of the policy failings of the past decades have stemmed from “a single failure: reliance on an overly simplistic view of human nature.” Picking up on themes that have flowed from the fields of psychology and behavioral economics, he points out a common error – separating rationality from intuition (or, as it’s often noted, conscious reasoning from nonconscious or intuitive mechanisms). ]]>David DeStenoSocial Commentary2011-03-08T10:35:33-05:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/f34bd0ec77e551df0a3c1483eafc37fe-7.html#unique-entry-id-7http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/f34bd0ec77e551df0a3c1483eafc37fe-7.html#unique-entry-id-7

When you think of the “typical” American high school student, the words highly motivated, engaged, and working for a better future might not be what immediately comes to mind. As we note in our book, a lot of recent research on education shows that taking short-cuts to succeed seems to be rather endemic among American youth. But today, President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan are in Boston to visit the Tech Boston Academy – a school where 95% of the students go on to college even though the majority of students come from one of the poorer areas of urban Boston and are first generation college applicants (you can see CNN’s coverage here). ]]>David DeStenoJudging CharacterSocial Commentary2011-03-07T11:46:31-05:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a3dbc4635b4d14f997dbe3a366ef9e9c-5.html#unique-entry-id-5http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/a3dbc4635b4d14f997dbe3a366ef9e9c-5.html#unique-entry-id-5
In the span of 3 days, Charlie Sheen went from breaking the twitter record with the help of his anti-troll followers to debuting his live-streaming “Sheen’s Korner” on the internet which saw the same people fleeing in droves. ]]>David DeStenoAdministrative2011-03-06T16:48:46-05:00http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/344c6ca6f199dbf7204a8c2142d6bfd3-3.html#unique-entry-id-3http://outofcharacterbook.com/blog/files/344c6ca6f199dbf7204a8c2142d6bfd3-3.html#unique-entry-id-3www.oocblog.com ]]>